story: Buddhism /ˈbudɪzəm/ is a nontheistic religion[note 1] or philosophy (Sanskrit: धर्म dharma; Pali: धम्म dhamma) that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, present-day Nepal sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.[note 1] He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving. Buddhists believe that this is accomplished through the direct understanding and perception of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths. 
  
  Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Vajrayana, a body of teachings attributed to Indian siddhas, may be viewed as a third branch or merely a part of Mahayana. Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana which includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon, and Tiantai (Tendai) is found throughout East Asia. Tibetan Buddhism, which preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India, is practiced in regions surrounding the Himalayas, Mongolia and Kalmykia. Buddhists number between an estimated 488 million[web 1] and 535 million, making it one of the world's major religions.
questions: How many Buddhists are there estimated to be?
questions: What is Buddhism?
questions: Who is it attributed to?
questions: What is another name for Buddha?
questions: How many branches of Buddhism are recognized in general?
questions: What are they?
questions: Where did Buddha live and teach?
questions: Around when?
questions: Why did he share his insights?
questions: How many Noble Truths are there?
questions: Where does Theravada have a large following?
answers: Between 488 million and 535 million.
answers: Buddhists number between an estimated 488 million[web 1] and 535 million
answers: A religion.
answers: Buddhism /ˈbudɪzəm/ is a nontheistic religion[note 1] or philosophy (Sanskrit: धर्म dharma; Pali: धम्म dhamma) that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one").
answers: Guatama Buddha
answers: based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha, 
answers: The awakened one.
answers: Gautama Buddha, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one")
answers: Two
answers: Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars:
answers: Theravada and Mahayana
answers: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle")
answers: The eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.
answers: the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, present-day Nepal
answers: Between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.
answers: sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE
answers: To help people end their suffering.
answers: who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving
answers: Four
answers: the Four Noble Truths. 
answers: Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia
answers: Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia